Snap-switch.



No. 791,008. I I PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

r W. A. 01101105.

SNAP SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED 0015.18. 1902.

No. 791,008. Patented May 30, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER A. CHURCH, OF BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRISTOL BRASS & CLOCK COMPANY, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

SNAP-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 791,008, dated May 30, 1905.

Application filed October 18, 1902. Serial No. 127,818.

T 107M770 it "my Con/067%! sections a contact-section 7 and a Wire sec- Be it known that I, WALTER A. CHURCH, a tion 8. The contact-section is cut away on citizen of the United States, and a resident of one side, and the wire section rests in this Binghamton, in the county of Broome and cut-away portion. The contact-section pro- 5 State of New York, have invented certain new jects into the central chamber with its upper and useful Improvementsin Snap-Switches, of surface preferably flush with the bottom of which the following is a specification. Said chamber, and the depressed portion on My invention relates to the class of devices which the wire section rests is located within used for making or breaking an electric cirthe recess 2. This recess 2 is formed in the in- IO cuit; and the object of my invention is to prosulating material at one end of the central vide a device of this class having increased chamber 5, and when the contact-block 3 is efficiency, in that an electric current of great in place a web of insulating material 3 covers power may be more safely and effectively the inner face of the block and forms with carried than in prior devices of a like nature; the walls of the chamber a complete insulation 5 and a further object is to provide a device of for the several binding-posts and electrical this class having simple and efiicient means connections. 5 for connection to line-wires. A device in the Within a slot from the under surface of a use of which these objects may be attained is binding-post a pivoted wire-clamp9 is located, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in one arm of the clamp being operated uponby 20 which a clamp-screw 10 and the opposite end of the Figure 1 is a view in lengthwise section clamp projecting into the wire-socket 11 and through the switch. Fig. 2 is a top or plan arranged to clamp a wire between the clamp view with the cap removed. Fig. 3 is a deand the Wall of the socket. This clamp is so tail perspective view illustrating the base of arranged that as the screw is projected in- 5 the switch out in central section. Fig. 4 is a ward the clamp will be thrown out against detail top view of the switch-plate. Fig. 5 the wire; but as the screw is turned out and is a detail perspective view of the same. Fig. a pull exerted on the wire the clamp will be 6 is a detail view, on enlarged scale, showing released from its hold on the wire. the stop-plate, cam-plate, spindle, and con- The description herein given for a single 3 nected parts, the switch-plate being removed. binding-post will be understood to apply Fig. 7 is a like view with the parts turned equally to the binding-post located on the opupside down. Fig. 8 is a detail view, on enposite side, this both as regards the bindinglarged scale, showing one of the binding-posts posts for the line-wires and also for the local or with parts out in section to show construclamp wires.

35 tion. The binding-posts for the local or lamp In the accompanying drawings the numeral wires each consist of the binding-post 12 5 1 denotes the base of the switch, that may be proper and a contact-piece 13, secured to the made of porcelain or other convenient and upper surface. This contact consists ofa prodesirable insulating material. This base is jecting piece bent and underlying the upper 4 provided on opposite sides with recesses 2, in part of the contact and providing a springwhich binding-posts 3 for the line-wires are arm against which the contacts on the switch 9 located, and also with oppositely-located sockplate rest. ets 4:, to which the lamp or local wires are con- A step-socket is located in the bottom of nected. The base has a central chamber 5, the central recess 6 and in which is located a 45 in which the switch-plate is located, and in step 14 for the bottom of the pin for operating the bottom of this chamber is a central recess the switch-plate. A stop-plate 15 is secured 6, in which the mechanism for releasing the in the central recess 6, as by means of screws switch-plate is located. from the under side of the base. This stop- The binding-posts 3 are composed of two plate has several radial armsfour in the form of switch herein shownand these arms serve to stop and limit the movement of the switch-plate.

A spindle 16 has a broadened head 17 located in a recess in the under side of the stopplate", and a releasing-pin 18 is secured to the spindle overlying the stop-plate 15.

A cam-plate 19 is mounted on the spindle, which passes through the central opening therein, and the under surface of the cam-plate bears two stops 20, adapted to cooperate with the radial arms on the stop-plate to prevent forwardmovementoftheswitch-plate. Oneor both of these stops may also be arranged to cooperate with said radial arms to prevent backward movement of the switch-plate. The under surface of the cam-plate is also provided with a cam 21, upon which the releasing-pin 18 acts to lift the cam-plate to disengage the stop from the radial arms on the stop-plate. This cam-plate also bears a shoulder 21 to prevent, by contact of the releasing-pin 1 8 therewith, backward movement of the spindle 16. The upper surface of the cam-plate has an angularly-shaped head 22, adapted to receive an opening of corresponding form in the switchplate, and the stop is stepped, as shown, to allow the plate to gradually settle.

A collar 23 is secured to the spindle 16, and a spring 24 has one end secured to the collar and its opposite end to the cam-plate 19.

The switch-plate 25 has an annular flange 26 projecting from the under surface into the space between the cam-plate 19 and the wall of its recesses. This switch-plate is formed of porcelain or other desirable insulating material, and this flange projecting down into this recess effectually insulates the spindle and connected parts. The edge of the flange covers the radial arms of the stop-plate, and the cam-plate is located in the recess formed by this annular flange 26.

Conductors 30 are located within a groove in the switch-plate, this groove being then filled with a non-conducting substance, so that the conductors are practically located within the substance of the switch-plate. Each of these conductors terminates at each end in a switch-plate contact 27 the contact at one end being located on top of the switch-plate and at the opposite end projecting from the bottom of the switch-plate, so that a current passing through the switch-plate passes in at one contact, through the conductor located in the substance of the switch-plate, a quarter of the way therearound, and out at the contact located on the opposite surface of the switch-plate. The part exposed on the upper surface makes contact with the binding-post contacts of the lamp or local wires and the part exposed on the bottom surface with the binding-post contacts of the line-wires.

A neck 29 projects upward from the switchplate 25 to a point above the upper surface of the base, this neck, together with the switchplate 25 and the annular flange 26, forming a sleeve inclosing the spindle and insulating it from any current passing through the switch. The stop-plate underlying the annular flange 26 is located well down in the recess and away from the switch-plate contacts or the bindingposts, so that there is no liability of the electric current reaching said stop-plate. This construction protects the spindle from any liability of receiving any part of the electric current. The binding-posts are all located well down in the recesses in the base, so that there is no danger of short-circuiting by contact of the metal cap 28 in placing it upon the base, and the construction therefore enables the switch to safely carry currents of electricity of high voltage without danger of the current traveling any path other than that designed for it and without danger of shock to any one operating the switch.

While I have shown and described herein a form of device in which my invention may be embodied, I do not desire to limit myself to this exact form of construction, as it is obvious that it may be departed from to a considerable extent without departure from the invention, and any such departure from the construction will be understood as coming Within the scope of the invention.

A cam 31 is provided with a hub 32, in opposite sides of which a spiral groove 33 is formed for the reception of a pin 34. This groove extends out through the bottom of the hub and provides not only for easy insertion and removal of the key, but also provides a means for preventing improper turning of the switch spindle. It will of course be seen that unless the handle is turned so as to bring the pin 34 into the upper end of the spiral groove it will beimpossible to turn the spindle. to the button, it would simply be turned off the spindle.

The operation of the device is as follows: Upon a rotation of the spindle 16 the spring 24 is put under tension and at the same time the pin 18, riding over the cam-surface 21, raises the cam-plate 19 until the stops 20 are lifted clear of the radial arms of the stopplate 15. As the cam-plate 18 rises the angularly-shaped head 22 is raised into a correspondingly-shaped opening in the switch-plate 25 and rotates said switch-plate with its contact members under the influence of the spring 24 as soon as the stops 20 are disengaged from the arms 15. The cam-plate 19 rotates a quar- If a reverse movement should be given ter-turn, and the stops are then engaged with lating material provided with a central insulated recess, binding-posts arranged within inclosed recesses formed in the walls of the central chamber and with their contacts located on the base, a switch-plate mounted on and fitting within the recess of the base and having contacts cooperating with those on the binding-posts saidswitch-plate havingasleeve extending from the bottom of the recess in the base to the top thereof, and a spindle located within said sleeve and operatively connected with the switch-plate.

2. A switch including a base having a central recess, binding-posts located within inclosed recesses in the base and with contacts only projecting therefrom, a switch-plate having a sleeve projecting from the bottom of the recess in the base to the bottom thereof, a spindle located in said sleeve and operatively connected with the switch-plate, and conductors located in the substance of the switchplate and with the contacts only projecting therefrom in position to cooperate with the contacts on the binding-posts.

3. A switch including a base having a chamber and a central recess, binding-posts located in inclosed recesses in the base and having contacts only projecting therefrom, a stopplate located in the recess, a cam-plate to cooperate with the stop-plate, a spindle having a pin to cooperate with the cam, a switchplate having a sleeve inclosing the spindle, the cam-plate and extending down into the recess, conductors located in the substance of the switch-plate with the contacts only projecting therefrom, and means for operating the switch-plate.

4. In an electric switch in combination, a spindle, with appurtenant parts for operating the switch, a pin projectingfrom the spindle, and a key having a sleeve with an open-ended slot extending in a spiral direction from the edge of the key and adapted to receive said pin.

5. In combination in an electric switch having a spindle and cooperating parts, a pin projecting on opposite sides of the spindle, a key having a sleeve with a central opening for the reception of the spindle, and two oppositely-arranged open-ended slots extending in a spiral direction through the sleeve and adapted to receive the ends of said pin.

6. A switch including a base of insulating material with a central opening for the operating parts, a switch-body bearing contacts arranged within said depression, recesses formed in the side walls of the central depression and entirely inclosed and insulated from the central depression, binding-posts arranged in said recesses, and contacts projecting from the inclosed recesses into the central depression and cooperating with the contacts of the switch-body.

7. A switch-plate for a switch of disk form having projecting necks on opposite sides of the main portion of the disk, and a conductor comprising a pair of contacts located upon the flat surfaces of the disk and a part connecting the contacts and located within the substance of the switch-plate.

8. A switch-plate for a switch of disk form having on opposite sides thereof projecting necks, a plurality of conductors each of which includes two contacts located on the flat faces of the disk, and a connectingpart extending through the substance of the switch-plate and connecting said contacts.

9. A switch-plate for a switch of disk form having projecting necks on opposite sides thereof, two conductors each including contacts one located on one flat surface and the other on the opposed flat surface of the disk, and a connecting part projecting from one of the contacts through the substance of the plate a portion of the Way therearound and joining the opposite contact.

10. A snap-switch including a base of insulating material having a central depression providing a central insulated chamber, a switch-body arranged in said chamber and provided with necks, means for rotating the switch body said means extending therethrough and insulated from the central chamber by the necks, binding posts arranged within recesses formed in the walls of the centrally-depressed chamber and having contacts projecting therefrom to engage contacts upon the switch-body said binding-post recesses being entirely insulated and isolated from the chamber of the switch-body.

11. A switch including a base of insulating material having a central insulated chamber, a cylindrical switch-body arranged within said chamber,contacts operatively arranged on the switch-body, recesses formed in the side walls of the centrally-depressed portion of the base and inclosed and insulated from said central recess, bindingposts arranged within said isolated recesses, contacts connected with the binding-posts and projecting into contacting positions with the switch-body and into the central chamber, and means for rotating the switch-body.

12. A switch-body including a base of insulating material having a central recess, one portion of said recess being of less diameter and extending below the main portion, a

plate formed at the bottom of the recess, a spindle having a head located in a recess in said plate and a pin located on the opposite side of the plate, a cam-plate located on said spindle and having a cam cooperating with the pin on the spindle, a spring secured to the spindle and to the cam-plate for imparting movement to the latter, a switch-body ar ranged to rotate with the cam plate, said switch-body being of cylindrical form and having protruding necks on opposite sides thereof, one of said necks extending into and closing the recess about the cam-plate and appurtenant parts and the other of said necks inclosing the spindle and spindle-spring, and binding-posts and contacts appurtenant to the several parts.

14. A switch including a base of insulating material having a central insulated recess, a stop-plate formed in the bottom of the recess and having radial arms, a spindle having a head located in a recess underneath the stopplate and a pin overlying the stop-plate, a camplate located on the spindle and having a cam cooperating with said pin, a spring connected with the spindle and with the cam-plate to impart movement to the latter, a switch-body of tubular form having a neck projecting about the cam-plate and inclosing it within the lowermost part of the recess, and a second neck projecting from the opposite side of the switch-body and surrounding andinsulating the spindle and appurtenant parts, and contacts and binding-posts appurtenant to the several parts.

15. In a snap-switch, a base having concentric central depressions, recesses formed in the wallsof the base about one of said depressions, binding-posts arranged within said recesses and provided with contacts projecting into one of the central depressions, a switchbody of cylindrical form having the main portion of the body arranged in one of said recesses and with a neck projecting into and closing the second of said concentric recesses, operating mechanism for said switch-body in cluding a cam and stop-plate arranged Within the switch-body and inclosed by the clownwardly-projecting neck thereof.

WALTER 'A. CHURCH.

VVitnesses:

ARTHUR B. JENKINS, ERMA P. COFFRIN. 

